Exercise Science M.S.

The master’s program in Exercise Science offers preparation for career opportunities
in corporate, community, and private fitness sectors, as well as clinical exercise
physiology, strength and conditioning, and doctoral programs. Thesis and non-thesis
tracks are available for students. The Exercise Science Lab contains state-of-the-art
equipment to facilitate both student and faculty research, including a DEXA, metabolic
carts, an EKG system, land and underwater treadmills, leg and arm ergometers, a hydrostatic
weighing tank, bioelectrical impedance, a lactate and cholesterol analyzer, and a
telemetry EMG system.

Strengthening the Nets

Jeremy Bettle, who earned his M.S. in Exercise Science and his Ph.D. in Human Performance
in 2009 at MTSU, is one of only 30 strength and conditioning specialists in the National
Basketball Association. He was named to the Brooklyn Nets staff in 2011 and traveled
to the summer 2012 London Olympic Games to work with Nets guard Deron Williams. Dr.
Bettle credits his training at MTSU as “one of the key elements in achieving my current
position. The exercise science program created a unique and highly productive learning
environment, which exposes students to a very broad spectrum of topics within the
field as well as allowing students to perform a great deal of independent study. There’s
a lot of opportunity to gain practical experience to compliment your academic study.”

Improving the health of Tennesseans

Russell Cliche (M.S. in Exercise Science, 2002) is state director of the Healthier
Tennessee Initiative in schools for the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness.
His career has focused on changing environments, policies, and programs to improve
health behaviors and outcomes. “Exercise science isn't just about putting someone
on a treadmill,” Cliche says. “Sometimes it’s about helping people identify physical
activities they truly enjoy, learn proper techniques, and develop strategies to make
their chosen activities sustainable. By far, the best part of being in this field
is having a positive impact on someone’s life.” His time at MTSU was “life-changing”
and convinced him to work in prevention, especially after a cardiac rehabilitation
internship at Vanderbilt’s Dayani Center. Cliche was the first director of Hamilton
County’s Coordinated School Health and Step ONE (Optimize with Nutrition and Exercise)
programs before beginning his current position.

Graduates gain expertise to advance in positions in fitness and wellness, cardiac
rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, corporate fitness, and research. The degree
also helps prepare candidates to gain certifications through the American College
of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association and to enter
a doctoral degree program in Exercise Science. Graduates can also continue their education
in other health care professions. Potential occupations include, but are not limited
to:

Bariatric exercise specialist

Cardiac rehabilitation specialist

Diabetes educator

Educator/professor

Employee fitness director

Exercise physiologist

Fitness center/gym owner or manager

Health coach

Occupational therapist

Oncology exercise rehabilitation specialist

Personal trainer

Physical therapist

Pulmonary rehabilitation specialist

Researcher

Strength and conditioning specialist

Wellness coach

Employers of MTSU Exercise Science M.S. alumni include

Acuff & Associates, Inc.

Bowling Green University

Brooklyn Nets

Cross-fit Rampage

Cumberland University

DaVita Renal Dialysis

Journeys In Community Living

Middle Tennessee State University

National Federation of the Blind

North Carolina State University

OnLife Health

Orthotics Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill.

Physiotherapy Associates

Southern Tennessee Medical Center

Steadman Orthopedic Group

Tennessee State Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness

Tri-Fit Athletics

University of California-Santa Clara

University of Tennessee-Martin

U.S. Army

Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute

Vanderbilt Orthopedic Institute Fitness Center

Well Fit Medicine and Nutrition

Williamson Medical Center/Cardiac Rehabilitation

YMCA

Graduate

A Master of Science (M.S.) in Exercise Science is one of three master’s degrees available
from MTSU’s Department of Health and Human Performance. Applicants must have

a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;

coursework in human anatomy and physiology;

an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken; and

acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

The department also offers an M.S. in Health and Human Performance with concentrations
in Health and in Physical Education and an M.S. in Leisure and Sport Management with
concentrations in Sport Industry and in Recreation and Leisure Services.

For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.

Other degree programs offered by HHP

A doctoral program leads to the Ph.D. in Human Performance degree, with specializations in Exercise Science, Health, Kinesmetrics, Leisure Studies,
or Physical Education.

Exercise Science, M.S.

This four-semester degree offers preparation for candidates to gain certification through the American College of Sports Medicine and to enter terminal Exercise Science degree programs. Career opportunities include employment in clinical exercise physiology and corporate, community, or private fitness sectors. The non-thesis option requires completion of 36 semester hours including an internship. The thesis option includes 30 hours of coursework. The degree prerequisite is two semesters of human anatomy and physiology.

Admission Requirements

Admission decisions will be made after reviewing all materials and determining the applicant’s capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study. Admission decisions are based upon consideration of a number of criteria which are believed to indicate a high potential in the graduate program.

Admission to the Master of Science (M.S.) program in Exercise Science requires

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, including successful completion of a course in human anatomy and physiology;

an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken;

completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with acceptable scores. Successful applicants to the M.S. in Exercise Science program typically have scores on the GRE Verbal and Quantitative measures that exceed 150 and 141 respectively (current scale) or 450 (former scale) with a combined score that exceeds 291 (current scale) or 900 (former scale). The Analytical Writing Assessment score is also considered.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Application deadline: Applications for Summer/Fall admission must be complete by February 1, and applications for Spring admission must be complete by October 1. Late applicants who meet the admission criteria may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

provide three letters of recommendation from persons who can address their academic qualifications and potential for success in graduate study.

Degree Requirements

Candidate must

complete either the thesis or non-thesis curriculum as detailed below in the Curriculum section;

if choosing the thesis option, select a thesis committee composed of two members (at least one of whom must be from the Department of Health and Human Performance) and successfully complete an oral examination relating to the thesis;

if choosing the non-thesis option, successfully complete a written comprehensive examination during the last semester of coursework (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Exercise Science

Candidate must complete 30 hours (thesis option) or 36 hours (non-thesis option) in the following course of study:

Thesis Option (30 hours)

Required courses - preferred sequence (21 hours)

HHP 6700 - Data Analysis and Organization for Human Performance

3credit hours

Pertinent skills needed to analyze and organize research data through introduction of concepts, principles, techniques, and activities that lead to the appropriate organization and analysis of research data collected for health and human performance.

EXSC 6650 - Exercise Physiology

3credit hours

Principles of exercise physiology. Acute responses and chronic adaptations of the body to physical activity, exercise, and sports participation and their impact on homeostasis examined. Physiological systems examined in detail.

EXSC 6880 - Internship and Special Projects

3 to 6credit hours

(Same as HLTH 6880/PHED 6880/LSM 6880.) On-site practical experience in an exercise science, health promotion, or sport management program. Those with extensive work experience will develop, implement, and conclude a project (research or applied) in consultation with the major professor.

EXSC 6640 - Thesis Research

1 to 6credit hours

(Same as HLTH 6640/PHED 6640/LSM 6640.) Selection of a research problem, review of pertinent literature, collection and analysis of data, and composition of thesis. Once enrolled, student should register for at least one credit hour of master's research each semester until completion. S/U grading.

Approved electives (9 hours)

Nine hours of electives selected in consultation with advisor. Six hours must have an EXSC prefix.

HHP 6700 - Data Analysis and Organization for Human Performance

3credit hours

Pertinent skills needed to analyze and organize research data through introduction of concepts, principles, techniques, and activities that lead to the appropriate organization and analysis of research data collected for health and human performance.

EXSC 6650 - Exercise Physiology

3credit hours

Principles of exercise physiology. Acute responses and chronic adaptations of the body to physical activity, exercise, and sports participation and their impact on homeostasis examined. Physiological systems examined in detail.

EXSC 6880 - Internship and Special Projects

3 to 6credit hours

(Same as HLTH 6880/PHED 6880/LSM 6880.) On-site practical experience in an exercise science, health promotion, or sport management program. Those with extensive work experience will develop, implement, and conclude a project (research or applied) in consultation with the major professor.

Approved electives (12 hours)

Twelve hours of electives selected in consultation with advisor. Six hours must have an EXSC prefix.

Program Notes

Candidate must

file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;

file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

College of Graduate StudiesMiddle Tennessee State UniversityMTSU Box 42 1301 East Main StreetMurfreesboro, TN 37132

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